Octopi?

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:21 pm

Hi!
Browsing the GSF Catalogue for prices for a replacement Octopus, and I noticed the only one listed is described as...

N43406 BX WITH PAS OCTOPUS RETURN PIPE £28-30 + VAT

There appears to be no listing for a non-PAS version!

Will the PAS version octopus fit, and if so, what will I need to 'blank off'?

Cheers
Dave

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:56 am

They're also still available from Citroen main dealers - I paid about £25 + vat for one last autumn.

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:50 am

Yep, all octopi are the same, regardless of PAS or not.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:43 am

Thanks guys!

I'll get hold of one from GSF on Monday, then (hopefully) wrestle the eight-legged b*&tard into my car later in the week.

If I can remember, I'll try to take some "progress pics" as I swap octopi.....it might be of some help for future swappers!

Dave

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:33 am

Dave, guess what? I've got a brand new one here, remind me on Sunday (tomorrow) if you're coming down.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:38 am

Just tried ringing ya, Billy! (0837).
Will give you another call at 0900

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:53 am

No probs Dave, have returned answerphone message and left you a pm. Leaving work shortly, back home about 09.15-ish.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:16 am

When it comes to actually fitting the octopus (with engine out), is there any recommended order, or is it best to simply swap eack 'leg' in turn, until the whole thing is in place?

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:02 pm

I just rip the whole thing out and fit new, but if you've never done one before then it's probably best to do it one pipe at a time really, better to be safe than messy!

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:04 pm

Would I be best to replace mine when I get it repiped?

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:06 pm

If it's never been replaced then probably. They have a finite life and if it's original then it's probably at the end of it's life really...

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:14 pm

I know mine's got a small leak on the usual bend coming off the front HC, so I imagine the rest won't be in too good a state, judging by the number of "repairs" that had already been done to the front strut returns!!

When I've finished this week, the only thing remaining to do, should be to change all 4 front to rear pipes. I'm surprised how cheap these can be picked up from Cit main stealers too! Not exactly a doddle of a job, but certainly within my capabilities!!

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:24 pm

mountainmanUK wrote:Not exactly a doddle of a job

Worst bit is lowering the rear subframe but without doing this its impossible to thread the pipes through.

How did I find this out?

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:30 pm

docchevron1472 wrote:If it's never been replaced then probably. They have a finite life and if it's original then it's probably at the end of it's life really...

For info & guidance, my GT's octopus was replaced at 15 years, the Operational Return pipe (height correctors & PAS; termed the 'mini-octopus' in a series of postings last year) at 21 years and the Brake Valve Return ( to the doseur, and more of a pig than it looks...) at 22 years. All return pipes still available at Citroen main dealers but you'll lose quite a few beer tokens...

The rubber (or whatever) in all the pipes looks the same when new so don't know why some die earlier.

I suppose the moral is, if your return pipes are over 15 years old, then change them or be prepared for a nice green puddle under the car at the most incovenient time and place...

Pedant alert - the plural of octopus is octopodes not octopi (http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/ ... ls?view=uk). Sorry